(PO-185) Students' Perception Towards Phased Approach to Resuming Education During the COVD-19 Pandemic

Author: Hanan Omar, Ph.D – Associate Professor, A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health
Author: Graziela Ribeiro Batista, DDS, MS, PhD – Assistant Professor, A.T. Still University , Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health
Author: Ammar Moosawi, Moosawi, BDS, MDS, MPH – Assistant Dean, A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health
Author: Grishondra Branch-Mays, DDS, MS – Senior Associate Dean ,Professor, A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health
Submitter: Hanan Omar, Ph.D – Associate Professor, A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health

Objectives: In 2020 the University and the School decided to devise a plan to return to in-person activities during COVID. The plan comprised of 3-stratified phases for reopening. The objective of this study was to identify students’ perception in regards to safety and achieving educational outcomes.

Methods: The plan to resume preclinical activities was based on 5-stages of Project Management: Conception and initiation, Definition and planning, Launch and execution Performance and control Project closure. For stage 4, students’ perception towards the plan was evaluated with a questionnaire dividing 2 domains: Safety and Health and Educational Outcomes and open-ended comments.

Results: 100 D1 and D2 students participated, yielding a response rate of 81%. Safety and health domain, 86% strongly agreed and agreed that they felt safe based on the health measures taken by the school, 6.8% were Not Sure and 7% disagreed and strongly disagreed. Educational outcomes domain, 61% Agreed and Strongly agreed that educational outcomes were achieved, and their education was not affected, 7% were not sure and 21% disagreed and strongly disagreed. Further analysis showed a difference between the perception towards education between D1 and D2; 82% of D2 students strongly agreed and agreed that their educational outcomes were achieved compared to 8.4 and 7% who were not sure, disagreed and strongly disagreed respectively. This can be attributed to the time and increased pre-clinical activities allotted to D2 students to ensure their readiness for clinical practice.

Conclusion: The study revealed that majority of the students were satisfied with the health measures taken and educational experience provided by the school during COVID. Enhancing educational experience is a continuous process requiring collaboration from all stakeholders.